The fastest way to change your iPhone's time

Open Settings, tap General, then tap Date & Time. Toggle off the switch next to Set Automatically if it is on. Once you turn it off, a Time Zone option and a Set Date & Time option will appear. Tap Set Date & Time, then tap the time field and use the scroll wheels to set the hour, minute, and AM or PM. When you are done, tap Back to save.

If you only need to change your time zone — for example, because you travelled and your phone did not update automatically — you can leave Set Automatically on and just change the time zone. Your iPhone will then set the correct time for that zone on its own.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn off Set Automatically in Settings > General > Date & Time before you can manually change the time.
  • Once Set Automatically is off, tap Set Date & Time and use the scroll wheels to pick your hour, minute, and AM or PM.
  • If you only need to change your time zone, leave Set Automatically on and change the time zone field instead.
  • Your iPhone normally syncs the time with Apple's servers, so manual changes are usually only needed if automatic sync is broken or you want to set a wrong time on purpose.

Why your iPhone might not update the time automatically

Your iPhone is set to Set Automatically by default, which means it pulls the correct time from Apple's servers over the internet. If your phone is not connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data, or if your internet connection is unstable, the automatic sync can fail. Restarting your phone or toggling Wi-Fi off and back on usually fixes this.

If you turned off Set Automatically yourself in the past and forgot about it, your phone will stay on whatever time you set until you turn the automatic setting back on. Check the Date & Time screen to see whether the toggle is currently on or off.

Changing the time zone without changing the time

If your time is correct but your time zone is wrong — which happens when you travel and your phone does not detect the new location — go to Settings > General > Date & Time and tap the Time Zone field. Type the name of your city or the time zone you need. Your iPhone will then adjust the time automatically to match that zone.

You do not need to turn off Set Automatically to change your time zone. The automatic setting controls whether your phone syncs the time itself; the time zone is a separate setting that tells your phone which zone you are in.

What happens if you set the time manually

Once you turn off Set Automatically and set a time by hand, your iPhone will keep that time even if it is wrong. It will not sync with Apple's servers again unless you turn Set Automatically back on. This means if you set your phone to 3:00 PM when it is actually 2:00 PM, it will stay one hour ahead until you fix it.

Some apps and services rely on your phone's correct time to work properly. If your time is significantly off, you may see errors in email, calendar, or banking apps. If you notice problems after manually changing the time, turn Set Automatically back on to let your phone resync.

Turning automatic time back on

Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and toggle Set Automatically back on. Your iPhone will connect to the internet and pull the correct time from Apple's servers. This usually happens within a few seconds if you are connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data.

Once Set Automatically is on again, the Set Date & Time option will disappear, and you will only see the Time Zone field. Your phone will keep itself in sync from that point forward.

When to call Apple Support

If your time keeps resetting to the wrong time even with Set Automatically turned on, or if you cannot turn Set Automatically on at all, your phone may have a software problem. Restart your iPhone by holding down the power button and sliding to power off, then turn it back on after 10 seconds.

If the problem persists after a restart, contact Apple Support through the Support app on your phone or visit apple.com/support. They can run diagnostics to see whether your phone is syncing with their servers correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing the time manually affect my alarms or reminders?

Yes. If you set your phone to a time that is earlier than the actual time, alarms and reminders scheduled for the real time may go off sooner than you expect. Turn Set Automatically back on to avoid confusion.

Can I set my iPhone to a time zone that does not exist?

No. The time zone field only accepts real cities and time zones. If you type something that does not match a real location, your phone will not save it.

Does changing the time affect my iPhone's battery or performance?

No. Changing the time manually does not drain your battery or slow down your phone. It only affects how your phone displays the time and when alarms and reminders trigger.

What if my iPhone shows the wrong time even with Set Automatically on?

Check that you are connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data, and that your time zone is set correctly. If both are correct, restart your phone. If the problem continues, your phone may not be syncing with Apple's servers, and you should contact Apple Support.